Who is Harry Mungo Kalahiki?

coolkayaker1

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I have seen this CD online all over the place--Amazon, eBay, Best Buy, etc. And the tracks sound great--you can listen to samples here. Check them out.

http://www.amazon.com/Ukulele-Harry...=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1372482015&sr=1-1

But, although this CD look vintage, it says it came out in 2009. In addition, a Google search on Harry yields NADA. No information whatsoever, and not even another CD by the man.

Who is this mysterious Mungo? Anyone?:cool:
 
The 2009 CD is a reissue of an older album. From the Hawaii Star-Bulletin archives:

"Michael Cord takes on the task of reissuing the out-of-print back catalog of another long-dormant Hawaiian record label with the release of two albums from the old Tradewinds label. This was the label's first album; originally released as 'Mungo Plays Ukulele' (Tradewinds LP-101), it was hailed at the time as the first-ever album of ukulele instrumentals, and Harry 'Mungo' Kalahiki was described in the liner notes as 'unique among ukulele players in that his taste veers to the classic and semi-classic.' "
 
Harry Kalalhiki was born in 1920 and died in 2005, he was probally most popular after WWII and was with a select group island entertainers like Nelson Waikiki...
He was born in Hilo on the big Island but moved to Oahu to play music....last know to be living in Hauula, Hawaii....he was a self taught ukulele player and pretty good...
 
Harry was actually born in 1928 and passed away 03-31-91 in Kauai. As mentioned above he was a self taught musician who could play any string instrument well (okay I never heard him play a violin). Also, he played by ear as he didn't like to read the music, he liked to feel it. It was a joy to grow up listening to him play as he did every spare moment he had. I'm so happy to know that people talk about him, he was my father and one heck of a musician!
 
Didn't know the man before this thread but I liked the music I heard. May have to order it. Thanks
 
Wow, Ipugirl, Harry was your dad?! I wish I knew or at least had heard him play.

I grew up in Palolo Valley from 1948 thru 1966 before leaving for Chicago for college.
Your dad's album is one of my all time favorites and his styling is something I try to
emulate... :) I can't play the songs on the album, but every now and again I try :)

Thanks so much for sharing about your dad and yourself!

Mahalo and Aloha!

keep uke'in',
 
I have to say, I just discovered the music of Harry Kalahiki, due to a small piece in 'Ukulele' magazine. Apparently, he only made this one album, but it has to be one of the finest ukulele albums ever. Otherwise, there is no info whatsoever on him anywhere; apart from the little facts revealed in this UU forum thread. How such a musician can disappear, or just stay under the radar, is beyond me. I mean, just LISTEN to the man. He's AMAZING. The record is on spotify, too.
 
I have to say, I just discovered the music of Harry Kalahiki, due to a small piece in 'Ukulele' magazine. Apparently, he only made this one album, but it has to be one of the finest ukulele albums ever. Otherwise, there is no info whatsoever on him anywhere; apart from the little facts revealed in this UU forum thread. How such a musician can disappear, or just stay under the radar, is beyond me. I mean, just LISTEN to the man. He's AMAZING. The record is on spotify, too.

what the doctor said. listen, friends. it's magnificent.
 
I couldn't agree more. The album (now CD) should be hailed as one of the greatest ukulele recordings of all time. And to think that this mysterious performer only recorded one album...wow! This is a gem, folks. I hope that people will buy it before it goes out of print altogether.

Ipugirl, your pop was astonishing.
 
Great thread! Took a listen and enjoyed Harry's ukulele music... Ipugirl thanks for sharing your father's and your history with us. Like Coolkayaker1 said, your Dad was indeed astonishing providing us timeless ukulele music to enjoy!
 
Sounds great! I wonder if this is before or after the Lyle Ritz first album in the 1950s?

PeteyHoudini
 
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